In February Flint, Michigan declared a "State of Emergency" in the wake of lead contaminated drinking water. Now we’re hearing of lead poisoning in other areas across the United States, including Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As a result, we are once again faced with the age-old discussion regarding the health implications of lead accumulation. We know that protecting all people from lead exposure is extremely important to lifelong good health. Children, however, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead because they absorb lead much more readily than adults. The current controversy over treatment revolves around three questions:

Who should be considered at higher risk for harm and offered treatment?

What treatments should be offered to individuals with elevated lead levels?

At what blood lead level burden is it appropriate to start therapy?

Unfortunately, this type of water crisis is not uncommon. People worldwide continue to be exposed to potentially harmful levels of many toxic metals that can profoundly affect their health. They face potentially enduring, serious and complicated health issues. Perhaps the major question, especially in children, is the level of lead in the blood to cause concern.

The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), an educational organization and a leading authority in the field of metal toxicity and treatment believes, as the CDC does, that “no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.” The effects of lead exposure on child cognitive development and behavior may be permanent if no intervention occurs. Experts from ACAM believe that certain interventions may be useful in lessening the symptoms and long-term neurocognitive damage that lead causes in children.

ACAM experts also contend that the myriad, harmful effects that lead can cause in other organ systems in people of any age should also be lessened. The original guidelines for intervention in lead poisoning were based on early FDA drug approval studies from the minimal research conducted in pediatric patients with blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL. ACAM believes that appropriate medical intervention may be beneficial to those suffering from lead levels even at the current CDC cutoff of 5 mcg/dl, the level that places the child in the upper 2.5% of tested individuals.

Practitioners can now take a more proactive approach to prevent permanent damage and disability due to toxic metal exposure. ACAM has announced two offerings of its national recognized Chelation Certification – now titled Chelation Advanced Provider (CAP) Course & Certification. Whether you’re new to detoxification education or a seasoned practitioner, ACAM’s rigorous CAP training will enhance your practice’s treatment options and improve health outcomes. One step cannot be completed without the other – this is a sequential course designed to provide the most in depth chelation training available to date.

As the recognized leader in metal detoxification/chelation therapy education, ACAM works diligently to ensure our curriculum is robust, relevant and of the highest caliber. The CAP Program covers a broad spectrum of detoxification topics for from biochemistry to billing. Our faculty ensure scientific rigor, complete understanding, and safe, practical application of therapy to maximize health worldwide.